GAG-IS are here to help you take the first step on this path - getting you an established web-presence. Think of us as helping you network yourself and your business amongst a far large audience. How you take if from there is entirely up to you. Think of the benefits:
- The Internet levels the playing field
- It enables the smallest business to have the image of a large company
- It raises both your profile and your credibility amongst potential customers
- It offers the opportunity to deal with local, national and international customers
- The Internet can help you with marketing ideas and see customer trends as they are happening, not after the event
The potential is limitless. You may prefer to simply use your site for advertising. There is nothing wrong with that. You will have an e-mail address and can take orders in that way, however you can chose to deal with e-customers as you wish. On the other hand you may get the e-bug and take the next step forward - doing business over the Internet in the same way as you would over the counter. It's entirely up to youu.
Another misconception is that an E-Commerce website must look professionally complicated. Well, if you wish to overload your front page web space in graphics and information you will, no doubt, entertain your e-visitor. However unless you are actually in the entertainment industry, it's likely entertainment is all you will provide for that potential customer. The secret to using your web space wisely is to keep the following in mind:
- Keep it simple
- Graphics = memory space
- Don't lose your product or service in the picture
- Who, what, when, where, how
Simply put, don't waste words on getting your message across. The simplest ideas are usually the most effective.
If you overdose on graphics, your memory usage will skyrocket. OK, so this is not a problem in itself however the greater the memory involved, the longer the page will take to download. The longer to download, the greater the risk of your customer losing patience and 'clicking' elsewhere.
Ensure that your product and service is prominent. That's the fundamental reason for your website.
Summarise - tell your potential customer WHO you are, WHAT you offer, WHEN you can supply, WHERE you are, HOW to get in touch.
As long as you keep your leader page straightforward, you can provide more detailed information on additional pages, which the customer can then visit as required. Of course, this is only a suggestion, however it has a proven record of accomplishment.
Above all, it does not matter whether you have one or one hundred products or services to sell. If the market is there, then you can only benefit from joining the on-line revolution.
